CHAIN STITCH (ch)

Almost every crochet project begins with a foundation chain, which is a series of stitches that looks like a chain, hence the name chain stitch. You will build rows of stitches on this foundation chain. Diagram 26.

First, make a slip knot. To make a chain stitch, hold the yarn as shown in Diagram 25.

With the hook in front, yarn over and bring hook under and up to catch the yarn. Diagram 27.

Turn the hook so it faces downward. Slide the hook through the original loop, bringing the yarn with it. Diagrams 28 & 29.

    You have just made one chain stitch. Make a few more. Now look at the chain shown above. The way to count the stitches is shown by the numbers next to the stitches. YOU NEVER COUNT THE LOOP AROUND THE HOOK AS A STITCH. Diagram 30.

    STITCHES

    Slip stitch, single crochet, half-double, double crochet and triple crochet are considered the basis of all crochet work. The main difference in the stitches is their height, which is varied by the number of times the yarn is wrapped around the hook or drawn through loops on the hook. The heights of these stitches are compared in Diagram 31.